Topband: Mobile Operations are great for long trips.
W3HKK at roadrunner.com
W3HKK at roadrunner.com
Sun Jan 7 17:01:46 EST 2024
And miraculous on 160m! Yet I worked two mobiles in the latest Stew
Perry Contest. Amazing ops!
Also, over the years Ive enjoyed qsos with mobile cw ops who were
driving to and from work. Never ceases to amaze me how they crank out
the cw at 30 wpm while driving through traffic. Really fun guys to
work and chat with.
Franks note also reminded me of back in the '90s when we had a family
condo in Myrtle Beach for 10 yrs or so. The condo Home Owners
Association held its annual meeting the first weekend in March!!!
DXers will know thats the weekend of the ARRLWW SSB DX Contest. After
a few 14 hr trips each way, the XYL opted out, so I had the conversion
van all to myself. We lived in central Ohio ( Ohio State Buckeye land)
so the van colors were scarlet and grey. It was a mighty impressive
looking van with captains chairs, a bed and TV.
The trek to MB was long and tiring. However, with a mobile rig and and
a variety of mobile antennas for 40-20-15-10m (Both Hustlers and the
Perth Outbacker). No amp. Just 100w. The Hustler stick had a triangle
on top allowing three antennas to be attached. 40-20-15 in the late
afternoons/evenings, and 20/15/10 during daytime.
The "mobile rig" was a great xcvr - the FT901dM ( all 70# of it) which
I encased in a wooden box that sat on the floor in front of the front
passenger seat. And for the entire 14 hr drive ( Fri night from 0001z
til I stopped at a motel, then again Sat morning from sunrise til I
reached my destination, I was in the contest, changing bands, catching
the MUF, tuning the rig, and working JAs-VKs-ZLs-SA-CA-Europe and
Africa.
I mean, 14 hrs never went by so quickly. It was a ball, and Id put
between 250 and 350 Q's in the log each year. Well, not quite. I never
kept a log - but I would have loved to look back at one if I had, and
remember the Q's. I just worked them and trusted my memory not to make
dupe contacts. Im sure I did.
On night in the rain I pulled into a gas station to top off the
thirsty van tanks. My "impressive" conversion van with antennas off
the back end and on the roof looked like a porcupine. A car filled
with teenagers pulled up at a nearby pump and began laughing at it -
and me. But I was having a ball, and actually looked forward to the
annual DX Contest from the Ford conversion van.
I only caught the 14 hours on the drive South. Saturday afternoon was
the meeting, and Sunday I had other condo matters to attend to. As
well as test out the amenities. Then on Mon I would drive back to OH.
Talk about great memories. Those annual DX Contest drives to MB, as
well as many other 5-8 hr drives to DC and other destinations where I
could tune the bands while driving the van, or numerous rental cars.
(Had installing the rig and antenna down to a science on rentals! )
The first time I ever worked Franz Josef Land was while mobiling to
DC. He was pounding in on 10m ssb. and I worked him from each new
state (PA-MD-VA) to make sure I got in his log. But I never got that
QSL! ( But I got another FJL contact confirmed a few years later.)
Even took some cross country drives to rare WV counties so I could
operate the County Hunters Net on 20m.
Never did any mobile cw though.
Bob
-----------------------------------------From:
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To: topband at contesting.com
Cc:
Sent: Sunday January 7 2024 12:00:21PM
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 253, Issue 11
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Lack of DX CW Activity (Richard (Rick) Karlquist)
2. Re: Lack of DX CW Activity (Frank W3LPL)
3. Re: Lack of DX CW Activity (Mike Smith VE9AA)
4. Re: Lack of DX CW Activity (Mike Smith VE9AA)
5. 160 meter report (Mark Lunday)
6. HI-Z 4-8pro 8-circle array (Andree DL8LAS)
7. AZILOOP (Tracey Gardner)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2024 09:46:23 -0800
From: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist"
To: Mike Smith VE9AA , topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
>
> Bill KU8H
>
>
>
> OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand
posts like
> this.
>
> For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off
than on)
> and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.
>
KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his
pickup
truck in SoCal. He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt
amplifier. He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get
up
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have
to
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy. One winter he drove to the N.
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast. He
was
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away. He even had
special QSLs printed.
You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in
QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound. Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.
73
Rick N6RK
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2024 13:01:48 -0500 (EST)
From: Frank W3LPL
To: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
AA1K has worked 51 countries on 160 meters and 275 countries on all
bands
from his car using 100 watts and KJ7U screwdriver for 160-6 meters
73
Frank
W3LPL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard"
To: "Mike" , "topband"
Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:46:23 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
>
> Bill KU8H
>
>
>
> OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand
posts like
> this.
>
> For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off
than on)
> and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.
>
KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his
pickup
truck in SoCal. He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt
amplifier. He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get
up
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have
to
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy. One winter he drove to the N.
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast. He
was
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away. He even had
special QSLs printed.
You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in
QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound. Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.
73
Rick N6RK
_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [1] - Topband
Reflector
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2024 14:13:55 -0400
From: "Mike Smith VE9AA"
To:
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hey Rick,
Thanks for reminding me of his KH6 call. Yes, I have used a number of
mobile antennas on top band. Each with their own quirks.
The last time I was QRV on Top Band from the car (I think) was the
SPTDC (or
was it ARRL160?) a few years back and I ran my big SA-680S mobile
antenna on
my mini with 4 really long top loading wires coming down off the
regular top
hat on this wonderful antenna to all corners of the car.(normal pic
on
qrz.com) I think I might have worked 1 EU (A G-stn iirc) but heard
even
more EU. I think I had to retune the screwdriver about every 10kc or
something like that. I also had an MFJ 100w tuner in line for one
contest
where I was just not getting a good enough match to make my FT857D
happy.
NA7TB and K7RAT were the big catches. REAL DX for a mobile station
here in
grid FN66.
My whole point of talking about topband mobile was, if it can be done
mobile, then certainly, with some effort & ingenuity , you can get a
somewhat decent signal out from a home station on a postage stamp
sized lot.
Thanks !
Mike VE9AA.and occasionally VE9AA/m & other calls.
KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his
pickup
truck in SoCal. He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt
amplifier. He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get
up on
hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have to
run
QRP to keep the neighbors happy. One winter he drove to the N.
Dakota/S.
Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast. He was plenty
readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away. He even had special
QSLs
printed.
You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in
QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound. Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.
73
Rick N6RK
Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2024 14:16:16 -0400
From: "Mike Smith VE9AA"
To: "'Frank W3LPL'" , "'topband'"
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Years ago now, but I worked Jon a few times when he was mobile on his
way to work and I seem to recall him being a pretty darn good signal
at 1000kms away from here. I think he may have even worked Japan from
his Jetta and KJ7U antenna.
Maybe he'll see these messages and comment.
Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank W3LPL [mailto:donovanf at starpower.net]
Sent: January 6, 2024 2:02 PM
To: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
AA1K has worked 51 countries on 160 meters and 275 countries on all
bands
from his car using 100 watts and KJ7U screwdriver for 160-6 meters
73
Frank
W3LPL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard"
To: "Mike" , "topband"
Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:46:23 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity
On 1/6/2024 6:49 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
>
> Bill KU8H
>
>
>
> OK, I'll be very honest and say that I don't really understand
posts like
> this.
>
> For nearly 30 yrs I've run 160m mobile on again/off again (more off
than on)
> and have I think 67 countries on Top Band.
>
KH6DX/W6 famously worked 100 countries for his DXCC ... from his
pickup
truck in SoCal. He had a big fat screwdriver antenna, and an 800 watt
amplifier. He was at liberty to get away from noise sources, and get
up
on hills, drive on beaches, drive on dry salt lakes, etc and not have
to
run QRP to keep the neighbors happy. One winter he drove to the N.
Dakota/S. Dakota border and worked the ARRL 160 and had a blast. He
was
plenty readable on this coast from 2,000 miles away. He even had
special QSLs printed.
You mentioned the helically loaded PVC pipe that was published in
QST.
That may have worked after a fashion, but an old fashioned loading
coil always works better than helically wound. Your suggestion about
top loading wires is right on, though.
73
Rick N6RK
_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [2] - Topband
Reflector
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2024 04:30:24 +0000
From: Mark Lunday
To: "Topband at contesting.com"
Subject: Topband: 160 meter report
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Heard but could not get through to OK1CF @ 0010 UTC. Long QSB from
559 down to the noise level.
Worked OH0Z at 0005 UTC.
Checked back in at 0430 UTC and signals were barely audible amid QSB.
Mark Lunday, WD4ELG
Greensboro, NC FM06be
wd4elg at arrl.net
http://wd4elg.blogspot.com [3]
SKCC #16439 FISTS #17972 QRP ARCI #16497
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2024 09:41:22 +0000 (UTC)
From: Andree DL8LAS
To: topband reflector
Subject: Topband: HI-Z 4-8pro 8-circle array
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hey topbanders,?
after checking the complete HI-Z 4-8pro 8-circle array I found a big
mistake. The original delay lines had wrong length, prepared for 85ft
diameter array.Yesterday with help from Lee K7TJR and Dado E74AW I
made new lines for 113 ft.
Nice results in F/B and direction correction.
Here two videos from the new one.
Testing with European beacon?and this morning with signalsfrom KP4AA
and W0FLS.
https://youtu.be/rIH7sgznWqw?si=YGXYd8L2zO7r9TOQ
/> https://youtu.be/Hko87kfIk9A?si=lO0hO4UQwU2vz4RP
/> Any more videos at my homepage?
www.dl8las.com?
73 Andy DL8LAS?
www.dl8las.com
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2024 15:45:39 +0000
From: "Tracey Gardner"
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: AZILOOP
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Interesting new product
https://www.quietradio.co.uk/
/>
here are some videos of the system.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYlWsvS63jS2XaBzzRQ-uoDPAJzaX7jBM
/>
73s Tracey G5VU
------------------------------
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End of Topband Digest, Vol 253, Issue 11
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